Politicians are being urged to prioritise people-owned power ahead of the next election to help drive the UK’s transition to renewable energy in new manifesto published by Ripple Energy.
The company is bringing thousands of members of the public together to co-own wind farms and solar parks, powering their homes with up to 100% green electricity and saving thousands of pounds on their bills.
Currently, nearly all renewable energy projects in the UK are owned by large businesses, utility companies and banks.
However, Ripple says it mission is to ensure “real” people benefit too from their very own source of low-cost clean electricity no matter where they live or whether they rent or own their property.
By empowering members of the public and democratising renewable energy production, Ripple argues that the UK can achieve greater sustainability, energy security, and economic stability.
To support this significant shift in the UK’s energy future, Ripple’s People Power Manifesto makes four calls to action for the next UK Government.
These are to have 20% consumer ownership in all green energy projects by requiring developers to offer consumer ownership as standard in all new wind farms and solar parks.
Furthermore, consumers shouldn’t pay energy levies on power from their own unsubsidised wind farm or solar park, and the newly-elected government should introduce tax relief on all energy bill savings from self-owned green power, bringing collective ownership inline with home solar.
The manifesto also argues that everyone should be able to benefit from green energy ownership, with interest-free loans for low income households to ensure a just and inclusive green transition.
Ripple Energy Founder and chief executive, Sarah Merrick said: “The UK’s energy landscape is changing, and its ownership needs to change too.
“It’s time to put people at the heart of the transition to a greener, cleaner and cheaper power system.
“Consumer ownership can be huge. The next Government really needs to scale it up and enable everyone to get involved.
“By embracing people-owned power, we can ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are shared by all, creating a more equal and sustainable future.”
Since 2018, Ripple has delivered two consumer-owned wind farms – a single turbine at Graig Fatha in Wales owned by 900 members of the public and an eight turbine wind farm at Kirk Hill (pictured) in Scotland owned by 5,600 people.
Kirk Hill Wind Farm is currently the UK’s largest consumer-owned renewable energy site, with the eight turbines generating for the first time this month, it said.
A solar park is also under construction at Derril Water in Devon, while a 14 turbine wind farm was also announced last month at Whitelaw Brae in the Scottish Borders, with members of the public able to purchase a share before 31st May 2024.